Notts Detective sacked after affair with murderer’s solicitor

A Nottinghamshire Police officer who supported the family of Warsop murder victim Clifford Collinge has been sacked after admitting to having an affair with the solicitor of one of the accused.

Detective Constable Peter Surgay was a family liaison officer following the murder of Mr Collinge in 2011 and during a misconduct hearing held at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters in Arnold, he admitted he was in an on-and-off sexual relationship with Ashfield-based defence solicitor Debra Bell.

The solicitor, who regularly appears at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, then went on to represent Stephen Shreeves - one of the three accused of the murder of Mr Collinge. Shreeves is currently serving a life sentence after being found guilty of murder.

Widow Charlotte Collinge was initially found guilty of murder but was later acquitted following a retrial last year.

The hearing also heard about an allegation of accessing confidential information on police computer systems over an extended period of time without lawful authority.

The panel concluded that both allegations were proven and Det Con Surgay was dismissed without notice.

Chairman of the panel, Delroy Henry, said: “There has been an honesty and integrity breach and failure to follow orders and instructions.

“This is a case of gross misconduct. A failure to be open and honest is clear.

“The Home Office guidelines say public confidence in police is crucial. The public depends on police officers to demonstrate the highest levels of professional and personal standards of behaviour.